Statement of Interest - Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program.pdf

Statement of Interest Form Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program

CLOSING DATE: SOIs MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 PM AKST ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2026.

The Denali Commission is inviting statements of interest for rural Alaska transportation projects in need of local match or gap funding assistance. Many Alaskan communities lack the tax base or resources necessary to meet cost share requirements. This opportunity seeks to provide funding to cover local match needs or address funding gaps, facilitating the completion of transportation projects and supporting infrastructure development in rural communities across the state.

Overview The Commission announces the availability of match and gap assistance funds for construction-ready rural transportation improvement projects. This announcement commits up to $5,000,000 for the purpose of this program from funds appropriated under Public Law 117-328 and allows for non-federal match via Section 309(h) Non-Federal Share of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121; Public Law 105-277), stating, “funds made available to carry out this section may be used to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of projects under title 23, United States Code”.

Applicants may request up to $1,000,000 per community for each application submitted through this funding opportunity.

The Commission will consider requests for transportation infrastructure activities where:

• The project is applying, has applied for, or has secured federal funding that requires a local match.

• The project has secured funding but demonstrates a funding gap of up to 30% of the total project cost.

Applicant Eligibility Eligible projects must benefit the public in Alaska. Eligible applicants include municipal, borough, and tribal governments; Indian Tribes as defined by Title 25 US Code § 5304; regional tribal non-profit organizations;

and other non-profit organizations.

Entities which do not have an active or pending award with the Denali Commission transportation program will be given priority consideration.

Eligible Project Activities Respondents are encouraged to specify construction-ready (permitting substantially complete, design advanced, land secured, etc.) or operational transportation projects and outline the funding match or gap required for their completion. Eligible projects may include new capital improvements, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of existing facilities. Project requests may include but are not limited to the following:

Surface Transportation

• Road safety improvements including resurfacing, dust control, and drainage improvements.

• “Board” roads and All-Terrain Vehicle trails, seasonal roads and signage enhancements, multi-use trails and walkways for bicycles and pedestrians.

• Rural transit activities including facility improvements and limited duration operation/maintenance of transit services and vehicles.

Waterfront Transportation

• Improvements to rural port and harbor facilities including floating dock and moorage systems.

• Boat launch ramps, barge landings, storage and laydown areas, and other adjacent support facilities.

To qualify, projects must demonstrate a need for match funding from another transportation program or require gap funding of 30% or less of the total construction cost. The Commission will consider requests for transportation activities that advance or leverage the following areas:

• Demonstrates project readiness

• Supports connection to multi-modal transportation options (roads, barges, boardwalks, winter and recreational trails, docks, etc.)

• Supports planned land use, and the pursuit of housing and economic development opportunities

• Improves community health and safety, and promotes local and regional connectivity

• Improves system resiliency to extreme climate trends and natural disasters

Review and Evaluation Process The Commission will evaluate statements of interest forms shortly after the application window closes. A review committee of Commission staff and subject matter experts will conduct a conformance review and evaluate statements according to the priorities listed above, beginning to invite successful respondents by about February 20 to submit proposals. Invitations for proposal will give interested parties approximately 30 days to respond with a full proposal. The Transportation Advisory Committee, Commission staff and subject matter experts will evaluate full proposals. The Commission anticipates making awards in late spring 2026.

The Commission reserves the right to partially fund projects, subject to the quality of funding assistance requests received and other relevant considerations.

All Statements of Interest Forms must be received by 5:00 pm Alaska Standard Time on February 13, 2026 to be considered under this funding opportunity.

Full proposals by invitation Anticipate Spring ’26 award Accepting SOIs Now only February ‘26 Agreement execution Summer/Fall ‘26

Statement of Interest Form Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program

Applicant Information Please provide the following information.

Applicant (organization/entity):

Applicant’s Representative (name):

E-mail:

Telephone Number:

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):

Name of Primary Funding Agency:

Title of Primary Funding Program:

Does primary funder require match? Y/N:

Gap Amount or Match % Required:

Grant # or Funding Code (if available):

Timeline (when notification is needed):

Anticipated procurement and construction start dates:

Statement of Interest Please provide information addressing each of the following questions utilizing the format below:

1. What is the proposed rural transportation project? Who will benefit from it?

2. Please describe your project’s construction readiness (e.g. permitting and design substantially complete or advanced, land acquired, materials staged, etc.)

3. Please describe current project funding sources. Clarify what is secured vs. pending.

4. Please describe what your key funding needs are.

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your proposed project?

Statement of Interest:

1. What is the proposed rural transportation project? Who will benefit from it?

Statement of Interest (continued):

2. Please describe your project’s construction readiness (e.g. permitting and design substantially complete or advanced, land acquired, materials staged, etc.)

3. Please describe current project funding sources. Clarify what is secured vs. pending.

Statement of Interest (continued):

4. Please describe what your key funding needs are.

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your proposed project?

Funding Request

Please provide the following information.

Total Project Cost:

Amount of Funds Requested:

Please note that the Commission typically operates on a reimbursement basis. Payments will be made in accordance with 2 CFR 200.305 by electronic transfer in response to a Standard Form 270 (SF-270).

Requests for reimbursements are processed as needed.

Acknowledgements and Signature

□ I acknowledge that I am duly authorized to represent my organization

□ I certify that my organization is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________________

Submission Please save a copy of this completed form for your records and send a copy of the Statement of Interest Form to the Commission via email at projects@denali.gov with “Rural Transportation Match/Gap SOI Form – Entity Name” in the email subject line.

Deadline: Friday February 13, 2026 Submit Applications: projects@denali.gov Direct Questions to: Christian Diamond, Grants Officer cdiamond@denali.gov

Nikki Navio, Transportation Program Manager nnavio@denali.gov

Email Subject Line: Rural Transportation Match/Gap SOI Form – Entity Name https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.305 mailto:projects@denali.gov mailto:projects@denali.gov mailto:nnavio@denali.gov